MB 301 Vintage Ribbon Microphone – Serviced by Stewart Tavener / Xaudia

Made in Germany | 1960s | Rare German Vintage Ribbon | Professionally Serviced

Offered for sale is a genuinely rare MB 301 vintage ribbon microphone from the golden era of German microphone engineering.

And this particular example has one feature that is especially significant for a vintage ribbon:

It was serviced by Stewart Tavener / Xaudia.

Stewart Tavener is a specialist in historic ribbon microphones and has personally investigated the MB301. His examination established that the MB301 uses a Beyer ribbon element, while the motor itself is a distinct design. The MB301 is therefore an original microphone in its own right, rather than simply a rebranded Beyerdynamic.

THE MB 301

The MB301 belongs to the German Mikrofonbau tradition and is historically associated with Mikrofonbau MB in Obrigheim. Examples from the 1960s are only rarely encountered on today's international vintage market.

Its most interesting technical feature is the combination of a Beyer ribbon element with a completely different motor using a large horseshoe magnet. This gives the MB301 a fascinating position between the classic German Beyerdynamic ribbons and other independent broadcast and studio designs.

Xaudia describes the MB301 as having plenty of top end and bass, together with relatively strong output for an early ribbon microphone.

SOUND & APPLICATIONS

The MB301 is not a dark, sluggish vintage ribbon. Its relatively open response makes it particularly interesting on sources where a classic ribbon is wanted with a little more presence and detail.

Particularly interesting for:

• Guitar amps
• Hi-hat
• Vocals
• Drums
• Brass
• Percussion
• Front-of-kit
• Mono overhead

The combination of natural ribbon character and comparatively strong output makes the MB301 a remarkably versatile vintage microphone.

SERVICED BY STEWART TAVENER / XAUDIO

With a ribbon microphone more than half a century old, the condition of the ribbon itself is critical.

The fact that this microphone was serviced by Stewart Tavener / Xaudia is therefore a significant quality feature. Xaudia specialises in the restoration and repair of historic ribbon microphones, and Stewart Tavener has personally examined and documented the MB301's unusual design.

This is not simply an untested vintage find. It is a professionally serviced historic ribbon microphone ready for serious studio use.

A TRUE VINTAGE SECRET

The MB301 is considerably less common than the better-known Beyerdynamic classics such as the M160 or M260 and appears only occasionally on the international used market.

HIGHLIGHTS

• MB 301 Vintage Ribbon Microphone
• Mikrofonbau MB / Obrigheim
• Made in Germany
• 1960s
• Dynamic ribbon microphone
• Cardioid polar pattern
• Beyer ribbon element
• Distinctive horseshoe-magnet motor
• Serviced by Stewart Tavener / Xaudia
• Very rare on the international vintage market

A remarkable piece of German microphone history for collectors, vintage studios and engineers looking for a genuinely rare ribbon microphone with a story.